Green Pond, NJ

Yeah, you probably used to be able to get onto the old jeep trail at the end of October Hill Rd, but there are houses now that block access.  You could still walk up Notch Rd and make a left on the jeep trail that parallels the top of the Craigmeur cliff and then continue on to the Deerhaven cliff, but that's probably not the best approach.

It looks like it's .4 miles from October Hill Rd to the lookout at the top of the Craigmeur cliff via Notch Rd and the jeep trail at the top.

I was sitting on a rock on Notch Rd when I read your correction, so it was easy to verify.

Before that I had tried getting to the bottom of the cliff from Green Pond Rd. That worked rather well, leaving the Four Birds Trail at the right point, then bushwhacking up to the (nice) big talus.

Ken

Just got a call-back from one of my voice-mails to Morris County.
This Morris County guy said . . .

* Yes the cliff is on Morris County land (not Newark Watershed).
. . . though the Four Birds Trail often used to reach the top of the cliff does cross Watershed land.

* Yes there was an assessement period a few years ago where some sorts of rock-climbing were allowed.

* But that assessment was shut off, because a Rattlesnake den was discovered on or near the cliffs,
. . . and there are rules about how many feet they can allow people to most activities relative to a rattlesnake den.
. . . (They won't say where on the cliff, because the point is to prevent human intrusion on the rattlesnakes).
. . . (I checked that the Timber Rattlesnake is on an endangered species list for the state of New Jersey).

so now . . .
* Climbing is not permitted at all on the Craigmeur cliff.
. . . (which is the south-east one of the "Green Pond" cliffs talked about in this thread).

Ken

Thanks for doing some digging Ken!

O F F S,-  I used to take small school groups, there.
    I really don't understand what Jim & kens' goals are.??  
 It was funny when Morgan (aka The Phoenix) was sure his trolling would have zero effect on his own existence.
 Imagine his surprise, when It turned out that I have been climbing for decades.
That I am prolific, focused on climbing FAs putting up new routes on previously un-climbed rock.
Even more to his surprise, I'm sure, is that I now live in his neck of the woods
 closer to one of  "his" spots  then he lives in his beloved Connecticut!
 Where, I ask for permission, as I did in NJ.so many decades ago & to this day,
 to cut through peoples yards to get to climbing objectives. (A little harder in Alpine,NJ, but still, I do so in very upscale neighborhoods)

Liz Hutnikoff wrote:

`

1/3 OF THE CLIMBING RESOURCE -THAT NO ONE WAS RESTRICTING ACCESS TO

NOW DECLARED CLOSED TO CLIMBING! THANX TO MR ROBERTS PHONE CALLS..  So, yes thanks 

THE ONLY MORATORIUM ON ROCK CLIMBING, WAS INSTIGATED BY & WHEN KENR, REALIZED THAT IF ALL THESE MILES OF CLIFFS WERE "OPEN"

 HE COULDN"T BOAST ABOUT HIS SMALL PILES OF RUBLE  THAT HAVE ALL SEEN CLIMBERS WHO ALSO PUT UP REAL MULT-PITCH CLIMBS AND 3RD CLASSED(solo, onsight 1st ascents)SO HE CALLED THE CITY OF NEWARK,  ASKED A NEWARK NJ CITY EMPLOYEE, IN A WAY HE KNEW WOULD RECIEVE A NEGATIVE ANSWER . >->  THAT, THEN, THREATENED TO COST THE MUNICIPALITY, TIME, MONEY &/OR RESOURCES, SO....NO MORE LEGAL ACCESS.

IT IS SAD THAT IT WILL BE ANOTHER 20 YEARS OR MORE BEFORE THE MASSES GET A CHANCE TO RUIN THAT PLACE

IF YOU LIVE NEAR BY GO HAVE A LOOK.  -

OOPS, I MISSED THIS; FROM -Liz Hutnikoff-

Moved away from the area a while back but planning a trip back to visit some family and friends and was wondering what's up with the climbing in the area. I remember hiking a lot around the four birds trail, wildcat ridge area, and splitrock when I was younger and there being interesting rocks but it was before I started climbing.  Anyone have any updated info?                                     Thanks in advance for any help.

Was this the HELP you were looking for?

JimN; ok ! & thanx that's fair enough, I really agree with your most recent comment

I don't have any goals.  I was just offering navigational assistance because I'm familiar with the trails in the area.  I think it would be awesome for climbing to be legal here, and that won't happen without asking questions and showing interest.  Meanwhile, there isn't anything stopping anyone from going there.  I'm generally more a fan of asking for forgiveness instead of permission anyway. 

Suburban Roadside wrote: 1/3 OF THE CLIMBING RESOURCE -THAT NO ONE WAS RESTRICTING ACCESS TO- NOW DECLARED CLOSED TO CLIMBING! THANX TO MR ROBERTS PHONE CALLS..  So, yes thanks for doing some digging ken!

It wasn't legal before, it isn't legal now.  Nothing has changed.

Suburban Roadside wrote: I really don't understand what Jim & kens' goals are.??

I don't have any goals.  I was just offering navigational assistance because I'm familiar with the trails in the area.  I think it would be awesome for climbing to be legal here, and that won't happen without asking questions and showing interest.  Meanwhile, there isn't anything stopping anyone from going there.  I'm generally more a fan of asking for forgiveness instead of permission anyway.

now that you have the Watershed parking permit go poke about....clinton road boulders are sweet.  likewise some of the backwoods areas.   GP is top notch, don't get bogged down w access. climb and don't make a big stink about and non-one os going to care.  go apr ahit w bolts and there will be issues.   pm me for green pond guide put together for morris county parks...ingvarja@verizon.net     (also now that you park legally, for sure grab a topop map.   find legal parking areas and go climb about the highlands).  hx such climbs was under the umbrella of "tramping". cliffs under 60-70 feet.

Tom P wrote:

I am aware of the Ecology center and have hikes and ridden bikes in the vicinity...but I have not checked out any climbs.  Do you have any digital info?

Is anybody still active on this site?  I’ve been top roping solo with a jumar.  Does anyone else climb Green Pond?

By the way Boy Scouts climbed here in 1932 so climbing is grandfathered in as a pre-existing traditional use that precedes any park.

I’d be interested in checking it out

I grew up on deerhaven lane, spent most of my youth in the woods and on the mountain.  It has never been allowed to climb the cliffs, but climbers still did it anyways.  They never policed this area ever!  Newark watershed owns this land and I'm sure the employees have no clue about navigating this area, since they probably focus on the water areas.  This is distant from any water source, I'm sure if they knew what they had here they would have sold it by now  

As far as rattle snakes at the base of the cliffs that is very true, was playing on the boulder fields below the cliffs and was stopped in my tracks by the sound of a den of rattlesnakes.  Last time I played there, lol.  

As far as getting to the cliffs with out going thru homeowners yards you can do it by using the jeep trail which starts about 100 yards past deerhaven lane on green pond rd heading towards craigmeur.   You will see old revolutionary foundations and a significant standing fireplace.  You can pull off the the road and park at the entrance of the trail.  

Walk up the jeep trail for about a mile and you will see some old water structures on the right.   That is the beginning of the trail it goes up the side of the mountain all the way to the top, there used to be blue hashes on the trees on the way up.  Unbelievable views from there.  Once you are at the plateau of the mountain take a right and it will take you to the edge of the cliff.  

Also I remember there is a significant cave at the bottom of the cliff part (appeared to be man made)

if you need more help how to navigate let me know.  

Always wanted to camp at the top of the mountain but never had the balls to do it.  

One thing to note, the cliffs collapse many times during the year, we've heard it often while living there.  I say this so you are aware it may not be stable.  

Hope this helps.